Posts tagged Easter

When most people think of Santiago vacations they don’t think of combining it with other attractions in that part of the world.   In fact, Santiago is just a short flight away from the magnificent Rapa Nui, known to most of us as Easter Island, with its dark brooding statuesque heads staring out to sea.

However, first Santiago and what it has to offer to you. If you choose the right travel company you will have your own driver collect you from the airport after a comfortable business class flight, and whisk you off to your hotel.   Just you and your partner – no sharing of buses or cabs. You will enjoy dinner at your own table without the inconvenience of having to share the table with the same people throughout your vacation.   Not that that’s necessarily a bad thing, but sometimes you can get unlucky with your table partners – you know what I mean.

Santiago is a lovely city, typically colonial and the traditional buildings built in the Spanish style, although the Parque Forestal is very similar the Champs d’Elysees. The best part of it is the climb up San Cristobal Hill and the outlook over the city 300 metres below with the Andes in the background. If you are not too fit you can take the cable car or the funicular railway.   Both are good.   There is also a zoological and Japanese garden at the top, and a chapel and you can’t miss the almost 15 meter high Virgin Mary that overlooks the city.  

Once you are here, Santiago is great to explore, but this is also very close to the Maipo Valley, Chile’s oldest wine growing area. The main grape here is cabernet sauvignon, and the climate is ideal for a rich bold wine that deserves its international reputation.   Make sure that you visit at least one vineyard and winery, because these are well worth tasting. The Maipo Valley is close enough for you to visit and be back in time for dinner in the evening.

As mentioned earlier, Santiago is not far from Easter Island, known to the locals as Rapu Nui.   This island is part of the Polynesian islands – in fact it is the most easterly, and so nearest to the South American mainland. Its famous carved heads were originally standing from the waist, but have gradually settled due to erosion.

This volcanic island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a special territory of Chile.   It is also an example of the human effect on what was once a rich ecosystem.   Prior to human occupation the island had a diverse biosystem, with teeming bird colonies.   Sadly, these are now gone and many species of land birds, that did not migrate, are now extinct.   The island was once covered with trees, but the deforestation is amongst the most extreme in the world with all of the island’s species extinct.

You will, however, still find a few coconut palms and eucalyptus, although it is believed that most of the indigenous trees were destroyed to provide wood for the transportation and erection of the stone statues of which there were originally over a thousand on the island.   You must also visit one of the three volcanoes on the island, the stone of one, Ranu Raruka, being used for the heads.

Other places of interest on Easter Island include the Orongo National Park with is circular lake formed from a volcanic crater, and the village of Orongo, where the ‘bird-man’ cult began after the building of the statues ceased. This lasted until the 1860s, when Rapa Nui entered a new modern phase, although its tradition is still full of tales of the cannibalism that was common throughout Polynesia. Be careful of what you are eating!

The bird man was called the Tangatu manu, and was the winner of an annual race to collect the first egg of the sooty tern (manurtara).   The competitors would swim to the islet of Motu Nui, of the coast of Easter Island, seek the first egg and then swim back to Rapas Nui and climb the cliff to the village of Orongo.   The winner was named Tangatu matu, and was given great power on Easter Island for the year.   Many were killed by falling off the cliff or by sharks. Paintings of the bird-men can be seen in the ‘Cannibal Cave’.

You will then have to return to Santiago since the local airport is only small.   However, that is no great hardship because you will be able to enjoy another fine meal at one of the many excellent Chilean restaurants in the city, including the Restaurant Happening (Argentinean actually) – they do a great tournedos tenderloin, but be sure to book.   You’ll find it on Avenue Apoquindo and you get a great main course for under $15.

So that’s it – the best way to visit this part of South America.   Since you have taken the trouble to travel this far you should make the best of it, and a trip to Easter Island is a must, just as a trip to the Galapagos Islands is a must when you visit Ecuador.   In fact, take a month and fit them both in!!